Ethan Moreau has late March circled on his calendar as his likeliest return date from surgery to repair his dislocated right shoulder.

While the Edmonton Oilers' forward, injured against the Detroit Red Wings Oct. 21 in a fracas with Danny Markov, is no surgeon or rehab specialist, he's been through shoulder surgery three times before and he expects to be out of action for five months.

"It needs a minimum of five months," said Moreau, who was operated on by noted specialist Dr. Tony Miniaci in Cleveland, Thursday.

"My surgeon has it figured out. That's why people go to him. He knows the right timeline and he's had tremendous success.

"My last one was six months. This one isn't as bad, so I might be able to get away with five."

Miniaci worked on Moreau's left shoulder in the past. Moreau says the latest procedure went well.

"Everything went as expected," he said. "I'll have my arm in a sling for about three weeks. I'll start some minor (rehab) in about a week."

Even with a successful procedure and Moreau's dedication to fitness, there are limits.

"It doesn't matter how hard I work or what we do for rehab," Moreau said. "There's a realistic and intelligent time frame for the tissue to heal. I've learned that the hard way with my other shoulder.

"I know that if you don't wait until the tissues are healed, especially with the way I play, that you're just asking for trouble. It's just not smart to rush it back."

If Moreau is out until the end of March, he'll return with four games left in the regular season.

"I'll do everything in my ability to make it so that when I do come back I'm strong and fit," he said.